
Football
Share
Published 12:24 19 Mar 2026 GMT
Updated 12:37 19 Mar 2026 GMT

Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has named his squad for his side's crucial World Cup play-off semi-final against Czechia next Thursday (kick-off, 7.45pm).
The winner of the tie will face the winner of Denmark vs North Macedonia on Tuesday, 31 March.
QPR attacking midfielder and former England U20s star, Harvey Vale, has been called up after switching allegiances this month.
There was controversy surrounding the team announcement with QPR ignoring the embargo and tweeting the news before the official announcement from Ireland, while Luton Town did the same with keeper Josh Keeley.
Festy Ebosele, who has played a significant role for Ireland under Hallgrimsson misses out, as does Conor Coventry.
Despite rumours, David McGoldrick has not been recalled to the squad, but Sammie Szmodics is back in.
There are four uncapped players named - Josh Keeley, James Abankwah, Bosun Lawal, and Harvey Vale.
Goalkeepers: Caoimhín Kelleher (Brentford), Mark Travers (Everton), Josh Keeley (Luton Town).
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Jimmy Dunne (QPR), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Jake O'Brien (Everton), John Egan (Hull City), James Abankwah (Watford), Liam Scales (Celtic)*, Robbie Brady (Preston North End), Ryan Manning (Southampton).
Midfielders: Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Bosun Lawal (Stoke City), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Alan Browne (Middlesbrough), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Finn Azaz (Southampton), Harvey Vale (QPR).
Attackers: Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Adam Idah (Swansea City), Johnny Kenny (Bolton Wanderers, on loan from Celtic), Chiedozie Ogbene (Sheffield United, on loan from Ipswich Town), Sammie Szmodics (Derby County).
Scales suspended for Czechia game*
Explore more on these topics:

Christian Eriksen releases personal statement after pitch collapse
More good news. Christian Eriksen has spoken publicly for the first time since collapsing during Denmark’s clash with Ukraine yesterday evening. Thankfully it is more positive news, and the veteran explained that the cause of the incident was his pacemaker, or ICD, working to protect him, which shocked his body. View this post on Instagram […]
Football
1 day ago
Denmark national team doctor issues new update on Christian Eriksen
The international collapsed in a friendly against Ukraine. Denmark’s national team doctor Morten Boesen has issued an update on Christian Eriksen following his collapse against Ukraine. The friendly match in Odense was halted after 65 minutes when the player collapsed, with the game abandoned shortly after. The 34-year-old was then thankfully able to walk from […]
Football
1 day ago
The 2026 World Cup viral moments live blog: Follow all of the action in our hub
Football